The Humanoid Robot Sil-Bot in a Cognitive Training Program for Community-Dwelling Elderly People with Mild Cognitive Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a stage preceding dementia, and early intervention is critical. This study investigated whether multi-domain cognitive training programs, especially robot-assisted training, conducted 12 times, twice a week for 6 weeks can improve cognitive function and depression decline in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 135 volunteers without cognitive impairment aged 60 years old or older. Participants were first randomized into two groups. One group consisted of 90 participants who would receive cognitive training and 45 who would not receive any training (NI). The cognitive training group was randomly divided into two groups, 45 who received traditional cognitive training (TCT) and 45 who received robot-assisted cognitive training (RACT). The training for both groups consisted of a daily 60 min session, twice a week for six weeks. Results: RACT participants had significantly greater post-intervention improvement in cognitive function (t = 4.707, p < 0.001), memory (t = −2.282, p = 0.007), executive function (t = 4.610, p < 0.001), and depression (t = −3.307, p = 0.004). TCT participants had greater post-intervention improvement in memory (t = −6.671, p < 0.001) and executive function (t = 5.393, p < 0.001). Conclusions: A 6-week robot-assisted, multi-domain cognitive training program can improve the efficiency of global cognitive function and depression during cognitive tasks in older adults with MCI, which is associated with improvements in memory and executive function.

Effects of a cognitive-based intervention program using social robot PIO on cognitive function, depression, loneliness, and quality of life of older adults living alone

“…The experimental group participating in the program had a more significant decrease in depression scores than the control group. This is also consistent with the results of a previous study that simultaneously confirmed the subject's cognitive function and depression, using the Sil-Bot robot ( 31 ). However, Oh et al ( 37 ) configured a complex program with play content including recreational functions preferred by older people as a Silver-Care-Robot so that the robot and participants could interact, but both cognitive function and depressive variables decreased after the intervention.…”

“…Therefore, it can be concluded that the program using the PIO robot improved the cognitive function of older adults living alone. There have been few studies on cognitive intervention programs using social robots for older people, and most of them have shown an improvement in cognitive function scores, but without any statistically significant difference (16,(30)(31)(32)(33). In particular, the Sil-Bot robot was not able to derive statistically significant results from cognitive function variables even though it was composed of a program including the elements of CACR; however, this program was distinct as it derived statistically significant results.…”

The application of technology to improve cognition in older adults: A review and suggestions for future directions

“…Humanoid robots display human‐like emotional expressions and body language to establish an immersive and close interaction with older adults during cognitive interventions (Manca et al, 2021; Mois et al, 2020). One example is Sil‐bot, which can display approximately 30 emotional expressions to stimulate the interest of and provide encouragement for older adults (Park et al, 2021). Another example is the humanoid robot NAO, which can address users by their name and provide personalized feedback (Pino et al, 2019).…”

“…In a small-scale within-subjects study, a 4-week pianolearning intervention led by a Musical Assistive Robot Instructor improved executive function and verbal memory in MCI patients (Mois et al, 2020). In addition, Park et al (2021) performed an RCT in older adults with MCI or subjective memory complaints, which showed that both the robot-assisted group and the paperpencil training group had improved global cognition, suggesting that VR is comparable to traditional training. Cavallo et al (2016) reported that the beneficial effects of Brainer1 on memory, language, and executive function in AD patients were maintained at 6 months post-training (Cavallo et al, 2016).…”

Nurses’ perception towards care robots and their work experience with socially assistive technology during COVID-19: A qualitative study

“…Silbot (a humanoid robot used for group-based cognitive training activities that is capable of making facial expressions and dancing by moving its arms) and Hyodol (a doll-shaped care robot that speaks in Korean) are available. 8 …”